Sunday's series loss to Mississippi State was disappointing, and Mike Bianco wasn't mincing his words, even if that meant his players feeling "embarrassed" about it.
"That was a disappointing weekend, obviously," Bianco said post-game. "We didn't play well enough to win and they played well on the other side. When you don't play well, at home against your arch-rival that is really disappointing. They should be embarrassed. It's unfortunate."
The three-game series was a clean sweep for the Bulldogs, and one of the more embarrassing losses for Ole Miss.
Mike Bianco tells players to 'be embarrassed"
But asking his players to soak in the embarrassment and letting it fuel their game the next day is premium locker-room heat.
"Be miserable tonight, be embarrassed tonight and then show up tomorrow. The good and bad of the Southeastern Conference is everybody loses. Everybody has tough weekends,: Bianco added.
"When you don't score runs that takes the life out of the stadium, takes the life out of the dugout sometimes. But there's enough blame to go around. We gave up seven runs today. We got out-homered 4-0," he added.
The loss marks the Rebels' ninth series loss of their past 10 against the Mississippi State. Ole Miss was outscored 18-6 over the three-game series.
Touching upon the much-awaited return of Caleb Townsend, Bianco said the return was a mixed bag.
"The results and all of that, obviously not what we are looking for," Bianco said. "But the best news is that he looks like he's back and ready to go."
There were times that Townsend held MSU scoreless in the second and third innings, but then ] gave the Bulldogs a free life by missing the bag, and they immediately punished him for it with a two-run blast.
The Rebels face Little Rock next on Tuesday. First pitch is at 11 a.m.